USA > New Jersey > The Catholic Church in New Jersey > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
The present pastor, the Rev. Matthew S. Callan, was born in Dunber, county Louth, Ireland, in July, 1860. His preparatory studies were made in St. Charles's College, Maryland, and he was graduated from Seton Hall in the class of '80. He was ordained June 7th, 1884, and assigned successively to St. Joseph's, Pater- son, St. Patrick's, Elizabeth, St. Aloysius's, Newark, and St. Michael's, Jersey City. He was rector of St. Law- rence's, Weehawken, in March, 1892, and labored in this parish until his promo- tion to St. Mary's, Paterson
St. Joseph's Parish, Hoboken, N. J.
ST. JOSEPH'S PARISH Was founded in the year 1872 by the Very Rev. Alphonsus Zoeller, D.D, O.M.C., and was in the beginning com- posed entirely of Germans. It was not long, however, until the influx of English- and Italian-speaking people to that part of the city made it necessary that they also ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, HOBOKEN. be comprised within the par- ish; and it thus remained a triple-speaking parish until the formation of a separate parish for the Italians, and a similar movement for the Germans, leaving St. Joseph's entirely for the English.
Father Alphonsus was succeeded by Rev. Fathers Dominic
437
IN NEW JERSEY
Marzetti, Francis Lehner, Anselm Auling, Joseph Frewin, and Michael McEvoy, all who, like the founder, belonged to the Order of Friars Minor Conventuals of St. Francis.
Under the wise and able leadership of these Fathers, and seconded by the hearty cooperation of the lay members, the par- ish has flourished and prospered. At present it possesses a beau- tiful new church of Vermont marble, which has cost $75,000, a large three-story school in which 450 pupils receive their educa- tion under the direction of Franciscan Sisters; likewise a dwell- ing for the clergy and sisters. The plan for a new rectory to cost $20,000 is being prepared.
The number of families belonging to the parish is about 500. The assistants at present are Rev. Father Nicholas Donohoe," O.M.C., and Rev. H. McMahon, O.M.C.
St. Joseph's Church, Carlstadt.
A MEETING of the Catholics of Carlstadt was called on the 17th of January, 1872, to devise measures to erect a church. The little frame church was built in the summer of 1873. The Rev. John Schandel, at that time pastor of Passaic, supervised the work and attended to the wants of the mission.
In May, 1876, Father Schandel was succeeded by the Rev. A. Shuttlehofer. In 1877, in the month of November, the Rev. Gerard Funcke was appointed to take charge of the parish. Father Funcke opened a school in the basement of the church and served the parish until the month of August, 1885, when he was transferred to St. Mary's, Dover, and succeeded by the Rev. Camillus Mondorf.
Father Mondorf, born October 21st, 1844, at Sieglar, Rhine Provinces, made his preparatory and theological studies in Ger- many and Belgium, was ordained at Ogdensburg, N. Y., on Janu- ary Ist, 1877, and received into the Diocese of Newark in 1882.
Holy Trinity Church, Westfield.
SINCE 1872 the portion of Union County between Plainfield and Elizabeth has been under the care of a resident pastor. Holy Trinity Church, Westfield, might be called the parent church of this parish, for it was the first erected. Before 1872 Westfield was a mission station attended occasionally by priests from the neighboring parishes. Although but few Catholics resided here
438
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
forty years ago, their spiritual needs were attended to by either the pastor of Stony Hill or the pastor of Rahway. To these places the Catholics went to Mass on Sundays. At a later period, it is said, some of the present congregation utilized the railroad hand-car on Sunday mornings. As many men and women as it would accommodate journeyed to Plainfield or Elizabeth to attend early Mass. Of those who enjoyed that early morning ride but few now remain. They give evidence, however, in their old age that the same love of God's service continues with them, for they never neglect the Sunday Mass.
There are no authentic records of the visits made by various priests for the purpose of offering the Holy Sacrifice. Stony Hill, Millburn, Rahway, and Elizabeth seem to have sent a priest occasionally to the people of Westfield. Since the establishment of a parish at Plainfield the pastor there has often lent a helping hand when necessity required it. Old residents remember with pleasure the visits of the Rev. Thomas Quin, of Rahway, who on many occasions came to Westfield and enabled the then growing congregation to HOLY TRINITY, WESTFIELD. assist at Holy Mass. At this time Father Quin did not have the convenience of a church, but he gathered his little con- gregation, as did the early missionary fathers, at any suitable dwelling. The place usually selected was a house on Broad Street, now occupied as a grocery by Mr. D. F. Miller. At length Father Quin's duties in Rahway prevented him from giv- ing further attention to Westfield. It then became united to Stony Hill, and, together with Cranford, formed a new parish under the care of the Rev. G. I. Misdziol, popularly known as "Father Mitchell."
Father Misdziol celebrated Mass on Sundays, alternately, for the people of Cranford and Westfield, and resided at the latter place. St. Mary's, Stony Hill, continued to have Mass every Sunday. It had been a parish church for several years. From this time begins the history of Holy Trinity Church. The zealous
439
IN NEW JERSEY
labors of Father Misdziol were directed toward the formation of the new parish and the erection of a church in each town. In this latter duty he met with considerable difficulty -- at first in West- field and afterward in Cranford. For some time he was unable to secure an eligible site in Westfield. The only available spot seemed to be that on which the church now stands. This was purchased for the sum of $600 in 1872. It had formerly been a part of the Pierson farm.
The church was incorporated September 2d, 1872, with the following board of trustees: President, Rt. Rev. James Roosevelt Bayley, D.D .; vice-president, Very Rev. M. A. Corrigan, V.G .; secretary and treasurer, Rev. G. I. Misdziol; lay trustees, John Feeley and Daniel O'Connor.
Father Misdziol at once began preparations for building. He received generous cooperation from his congregation and from many of the non-Catholics of Westfield. A considerable time elapsed, however, before the new building was ready for the con- gregation. The only convenient place in which they could gather was the freight-house of the Central Railroad. Many of the men were employees of the railroad. On Saturday evenings they and their wives brought brooms and dusting brushes, and carefully prepared that which was to become, for a time at least, the temple of God. Many will, no doubt, remember the pleasure that came to them as they prepared the temporary altar in the freight-house. Their experience, however, was not different from that of other Catholics throughout the country.
When Father Misdziol began the erection of the church his congregation numbered about 100 souls-men, women, and chil- dren. To-day they number over 300. It may be said to the praise of the people of Holy Trinity that they celebrated their silver jubi- lee free from debt.
In September, 1903, Westfield . was detached from Cranford by Bishop O'Connor and erected into a separate parish, with the Rev. Peter E. Reilly as the first pastor. Father Reilly was born in Lambertville, N. J., and his theological studies were made in Innspruck, Tyrol, where he was ordained. For some years he was assistant in St. Paul's, Greenville, and after in St. John's, Pat- erson. He met his new congregation September 13th, 1903.
440
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Michael's Church, Cranford.
THE name of Father Misdziol is closely connected not only with Holy Trinity Church, but also with St. Michael's, Cranford. The latter church was incorporated October 7th, 1872, with the following board of trustees: President, Rt. Rev. M. A. Corrigan, D.D .; vice-president, Very Rev. G. H. Doane, V.G .; secretary and treasurer, Rev. G. I. Misdziol; lay trustees, Sylvester Cahill, Jr., and Michael O'Brien.
Father Misdziol came to Cranford every second Sunday to celebrate Mass. For a time the small congregation gathered at the house of Terence Brennan on South Avenue. When the number increased they secured the use of a large room in what was known as " the Mill," situated on the property now occupied by Mr. E. Bookout. For some time the Mill continued to serve as a church. The devotion of the people was not, however, satisfied with this condition of affairs. They desired to have a church of their own in which they might have Mass every Sunday. With this intention a delegation visited Bishop Corrigan, afterward Arch- bishop of New York. They received from him the pleasing as- surance that if the congregation would build the church he would provide a priest so that they might have Mass every Sunday. On the return of the committee collectors were appointed to solicit subscriptions. After several weeks the amount collected was so trivial that the project was almost abandoned. It was at this time that, in a spirit of heroic self-sacrifice, a number of the men determined to take upon themselves the task of building the church. Michael Hennessy, Joseph Stephenson, James Millon, Edward Shea, Michael O'Brien, and Patrick Corcoran each bound himself to the amount of $500 to raise sufficient funds to build the church. Some of them even offered to mortgage their homes to secure the pledge they made. Sylvester Cahill, Sr., gave the use of two lots for such time as the church should be situated thereon. After the church had been dedicated, however, Mr. Cahill removed this condition and gave an absolute deed of sale of the two lots to St. Michael's Church. This site was on Orange Avenue, and was the first location of the church. It is now occu- pied by the residence of Mr. W. F. Neipp. Father Misdziol, who began the preliminary work of the church, did not remain to com- plete it. The worry and annoyances incident to the establish- ment of the two parishes undermined his health and compelled
441
IN NEW JERSEY
him to resign his pastorate. He still retained charge of Stony Hill, and, in addition, visited Baskingridge and Sterling. His memory is held in loving esteem by the people of Cranford and Westfield. Father Misdziol was succeeded by Revs. P. S. Dag- nault, A. Bergman, and Aug. Eberhard. Each remained but a short time.
Bishop Corrigan then made a new assignment of priests and a new arrangement of parish lines. On June 12th, 1877, the two towns, together with Roselle, became one parish under the Rev. W. J. Wiseman.
Father Wiseman for a short time continued to reside at West- field, but in order that he might be equally distant from the ex-
.......
ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, CRANFORD.
tremes of his parish he soon located in Cranford. In the begin- ning of his pastorate in Cranford he experienced a great many difficulties. At first he had no fixed parochial residence. Sev- eral houses are still pointed out as "the former residence " of Father Wiseman. He found many misunderstandings existing between the mechanics and those who made themselves respon- sible for the fund. Indeed, his arrival as the pastor of the new church was most opportune. His first act was to assume the payment of the necessary debts in connection with the new build- ing. It had been enclosed, but by no means finished, as it pos- sessed neither pews nor altar.
442
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Roselle, in the mean time, had begun to attract attention. By reason of the increasing number of Catholics it seemed that there would soon be need of a church. An effort was made by Father Wiseman for this purpose, but without success. Many of the Ro- selle people thought it best to defer the building of a church. They signified their intention of attending St. Michael's, provided it might be more conveniently located. With the intention of ac- commodating them Father Wiseman purchased property, and, with the consent of the bishop, moved the church to the new site, where it has since remained. From this time, and during the remainder of Father Wiseman's pastorate, a cloud of discontent seemed to hang over St. Michael's Church. Many of the Cran- ford people were displeased with his action in moving the church.
Father Wiseman is no longer among the living, but in defence of his memory it is simple justice to say that his action in this matter was really conscientious and done with the best intention for the spiritual good of those under his care. In many congrega- tions there may be found men who have little regard for the diffi- culties that surround a priest in the performance of his duty. They are ever ready to impute motives and to criticise any line of policy not in accordance with their own views. With some of these Father Wiseman had to contend. Contrary to the impres- sion of many of St. Michael's people, the moving of the church from Orange Avenue to Elizabeth Avenue made no increase in the church debt. The expenses incurred were paid for almost entirely by the Roselle people. Time has made many changes in the congregations of Cranford and Westfield. Probably not more than eight or nine families now reside in either place who were under the pastoral care of Father Misdziol. A tradition of memories surrounds the two old churches. We hear at times the names of faithful children of the mother church who are now resting with their brethren in the cemeteries at Plainfield, Eliza- beth, or New York. Their faithful observance of God's com- mandments brought honor to their church. A new generation now takes the place of the pioneers-new arrivals from the over- growth of neighboring large cities. The homeseeker has found in Roselle, Cranford, and Westfield a habitation that combines the pleasures of rural and city life.
The Rev. James P. Smith was appointed rector of Cranford, March 8th, 1891, and continued his truly apostolic labors in this field until his promotion to St. Peter's, Belleville. Father Smith, born in Jersey City, N. J., December 14th, 1858, was educated
443
IN NEW JERSEY
partly at St. Charles's, Maryland, and partly at Seton Hall, of which he is an alumnus of the class of '81. His theological studies were made in Seton Hall, and he was ordained in the cathedral May 30th, 1885. His first mission was the Protectory at Arlington, then St. Mary's, Morristown, and St. Bridget's, Jersey City, where he remained four years, until his appointment to Cranford. Like Chaucer's good priest, "always afoot," he visited every nook and corner of his parish, allayed discontent, and built up a united, fervent congregation. He is not forgotten by his old flock, nor will his memory soon fade from their hearts. His successor was the Rev. Francis J. Murphy, who was com- pelled by ill health to resign. The Rev. John A. Westman, Vice- President of Seton Hall, was appointed administrator of the par- ish March 5th, 1902. Father Westman, born in Paterson, N. J., September 29th, 1872, was educated at Seton Hall, from which he was graduated with the class of '93. Having finished his course of theology at Seton Hall Seminary, he was ordained in the cathedral, Newark, June 12th, 1897. Father Westman has since been made rector of the parish, and to his appeals and efforts the congregation has responded so generously and promptly that it now possesses a new church and rectory. In his zeal he has not overlooked the Italians, who have flocked during the last ten years into the different missions with which he is charged. A chapel and school have been opened for them, and his efforts in their behalf have been ably seconded by the Rev. J. F. Dolan, his assistant.
St. Joseph's Church, Roselle.
ANOTHER mission of the Cranford Parish, comprising the borough of Roselle and a part of Union township, became incor- porated in 1895 as St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Roselle, N. J. The board of trustees were the following: President, Rt. Rev. W. M. Wigger, D.D .; vice-president, Very Rev. John J. O'Connor, V.G .; secretary and treasurer, Rev. J. P. Smith; lay trustees, James Maguire and Charles H. Pennell ..
A site was selected, corner Third Avenue and Walnut Street, and was purchased October Ist, 1895. The corner-stone of the new church was laid October 24th, 1897, and the dedication took place May Ist, 1898. The events connected with the short life of St. Joseph's Church are still so recent that they need not be here related. The new parish is under obligations to many friends who have already extended to it a generous sympathy and by liberal gifts have lightened the church debt.
444
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
The plans of the new church had not yet been completed when death claimed two members of the parish. They were equally enthusiastic for the erection of the church, and for many years had yearned for the day when they should see a Catholic church in Roselle; but this pleasure they did not enjoy. On May 13th, 1896, Charles H. Pennell, one of the incorporators of St. Joseph's Church, died. Mr. Pennell for many years had been associated with St. Michael's, Cranford, as lay trustee. He had not, how- ever, been always a Catholic. From the time of his recep- tion into the church by Bishop Corrigan in 1878 he took an active interest in all its affairs. When it was pro- posed to establish a church in Roselle, he became equal- ly zealous to have the new church meet with success. His successor as lay trustee, ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, ROSELLE. George E. Hardy, died with- in a year, April 15th, 1897. By a singular coincidence the particulars attending their last ill- ness were almost the same. Mr. Hardy and Mr. Pennell each merited the esteem of their fellow-citizens, and each died deeply regretted by a host of friends.
St. Columba's Church, Newark.
THE dream of the Catholics of Newark that they were soon to have their cathedral, fronting Lincoln Park and rearing aloft its cross among the mansions of the city's financial magnates, seemed to be on the verge of realization when Dr. Corrigan, the adminis- trator, laid the corner-stone of the cathedral chapel, November 2Ist, 1869. The chapel was, indeed, erected, but the cathedral was not, on that site at least. In the autumn of 1871 the Rev. Charles A. Reilly, one of the pro-cathedral staff, was appointed to organize a new parish in the southern section of the city, and around the cathedral chapel the congregation grew. After a short time the name of the church was changed to St. Columba- the "Dove of the Church," a scion of the royal house of Leinster,
445
IN NEW JERSEY
son of the great Niall, and the Apostle of Caledonia. Father Reilly was born in the county Cavan, Ireland, and after the com- pletion of his classical studies in St. Francis Xavier's he studied theology both at St. Mary's, Baltimore, and Seton Hall, where he was ordained, March 16th, 1867. His talents were of a high order, and to a grace of manner was added the possession of a rare tenor voice, which he used in his speeches and sermons with
ST. COLUMBA'S CHURCH, NEWARK.
Rectory on left.
tact and ability. The latter years of his life were clouded by physical ailments, which held in thrall a nervous and active tem- perament, and prevented him from accomplishing for the parish all that he yearned to do, He died October 15th, 1879, and was
446
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
succeeded by the Rev. Michael J. Holland. Father Holland was a cathedral boy, educated at St. Charles's, Maryland, and a gradu- ate of Seton Hall in the class of '70. He completed his theologi- cal studies in the American College, Rome, where he was ordained in 1875. His ministry, exercised in St. Joseph's, Jersey City, St. Mary's, Trenton, and St. Joseph's, Newark, was marked by ear- nest and never-wearying effort. Kind and obliging to his fellow- priests, he was the soul of loyalty to his friends and to his pastors. He lived in an atmosphere of sunshine and contentment, which radiated out to those with whom he came in contact. And among all who knew him by none was he held in greater esteem than the charity charges in the poor-house or the pestilent victims of the isolated wards. In times of smallpox scourge not only his neigh- bors but his intimate friends gave him a wide berth, as all knew how assiduous he was in his attention to these unfortunates and how indifferent to the loathsome contagion. Father Holland worked hard to reduce the debt, so as to build a church more befitting the needs and dignity of the parish. He built a temporary school, but the realization of his hopes was to be deferred to another. Father Holland died of a pulmonary malady in the month of August, 1896. His successor is the Rev. Michael J. White. Father White was born at Tallow, Waterford, Ireland, and after finishing his classical studies in Mount Melleray, he entered St. John's Seminary, Waterford, and afterward Maynooth, where he was ordained in June, 1878. He labored as assistant in St. John's, Paterson, St. Mary's, Dover, St. John's, Newark, and the cathe- dral. Bishop Wigger appointed Father White to found the new parish of St. Bridget's, Newark, where he built the school and a substantial brick church. He at once made the parishioners of St. Columba's realize that the debt had to disappear and the new church to leave the domain of rhapsody and become a substantial fact. And to-day they worship in a most beautiful and finished church. The rectory was built at the same time as the church, and the old rectory converted into a convent for the school sisters.
Church of the Sacred Heart, Shadyside (Cliffside).
THE Catholics of Shadyside were formed into a congregation in March, 1873, and the Rev. Eusebius Sotis, who took charge of the congregation, opened a school about the same time. The priests who have ministered to the congregation were the Rev. Eusebius Sotis, M. J. Kerwin, J. M. Giraud, Francis O'Neill, and J. H. Hill,
447
IN NEW JERSEY
The Rev. Walter A. Purcell became the first resident pastor on December Ist, 1893. Father Purcell was born in New York City, November 18th, 1855. He made his preparatory studies at Manhattan College and his theological studies at Seton Hall. He was ordained June 7th, 1884, in the cathedral in Newark. He served as assistant at the college, attending, meanwhile, the mis- sions of Caldwell and Verona. He was likewise attached to St. Michael's, Jersey City; St. Columba's, Newark; St. Aloysius's, Newark; Seton Hall; administered to Summit; assisted at St. James's, Newark, and St. Mary's, Bayonne, until his appointment as pastor of Shadyside.
Church of Our Lady of the Valley, Orange, N. J.
THE parish of Our Lady of the Valley, Orange, N. J., was organized September 8th, 1873. It had been a part of St. John's Parish, Orange. The first rector was Rev. G. A. Vassallo. The lay trustees were Messrs. Patrick Hayes and Edward B. Maroney. Mr. Hayes is still a trustee.
The church, a small but elegant stone building, had been a Protestant church, presumably Congregationalist. The above trustees, at their first meeting, voted to give a mortgage for the sum of $5,000 for three years to the trustees of the Valley Con- gregationalist Church, and to buy two lots and a house in the rear of the church, for which they were to pay in cash $1, 100 and to give a mortgage for $800 for one year. October 11th, 1874, dur- ing the pastorate of the Rev. James A. Walsh, the trustees resolved to collect funds for a parochial house.
March Ist, 1878, the Rev. Walter M. A. Fleming "entered into an agreement with Mr. Patrick O'Rourke ... to extend, alter, and remodel said Church of Our Lady of the Valley," at a cost of $8,570.
The church is located at the corner of Valley and Nassau streets.
From the baptismal records we learn that Rev. G. A. Vassallo exercised the ministry in this church from September 7th, 1873, to August 15th, 1874. Rev. James A. Walsh, O.M.C., Septem- ber 6th, 1874, to April 29th, 1877. Rev. Walter M. A. Fleming, June 10th, 1877, to July 20th, 1879. Rev. W. M. R. Callan, July 28th, 1879, to January 25th, 1898. He died February 25th, 1898.
In 1891 Father Callan purchased a plot of ground adjoining the school and convent.
448
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
September 7th, 1891, the trustees resolved "to increase the mortgage by $5,000, ... to provide suitable quarters for the young men of the parish."
December 11th, 1891, it was resolved to erect a new building for the young men, the idea of enlarging the hall having been abandoned.
September, 1892, Mr. D. Brown was appointed weekly col- lector at a salary of $12 per week, to raise funds for the erection of a new church.
The above collections could not have been very successful,
-
OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY, ORANGE VALLEY.
because neither of the buildings was erected in the lifetime of Father Callan.
Labor Day, September 3d, 1894, a festival and garden party was held on the occasion of the raising of the flag, which together with the pole had been donated by some members of the G. A. R. and friends of the school.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.